My commitment to travelling only with carry-on is strong. This January, my extended family vacationed for three weeks on the coast of Costa Rica. But staying in the rainforest doesn’t mean I want to get completely back to nature. Compact, multi-tasking products make for naturally easy beauty.
For the Family
Bumble and bumble HDIO shampoo, conditioner and primer: The namesake “Invisible Oil” in this trio restores moisture, protects from the sun, and smells like the tropics. The spray is my secret weapon for combing post-beach tangles out of my daughter’s hair.
Coola Sport SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen: Sunscreen that goes on easy, feels nice, and is good for the skin means that the whole family will be happy to apply.
Goe Oil: Essential essential essential. Put to the test on the day we foolishly underestimated the sun and came back from the beach majorly red. Of the six adults, only my husband and I didn’t peel (burn fading to a tan pretty quick, actually), which I’m convinced is thanks to this skin soothing, deeply hydrating blend of all-natural oils.
Jack Black Lip Balm with SPF 15: Such a family fave that I’ve got to label my tube as my own.
St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Lotion: Easiest way to get and keep a sun-safe glow. I dispensed a couple weeks' worth into a travel-sized pump.
Don’t Leave Home Without It:
Coola Face Mineral BB Cream: Goes on with fingers, blocks sun damage, mattifies in the heat, and has the sheerest tint to even out skin.
Bumble and bumble Don’t Blow It: The tropics is no place for a hairdryer. However, letting my hair air dry means my hair ends up limp and haphazard and just not nice. This holy grail product uses some sort of magic to make my hair air dry with fullness and shape without any effort.
Bumble and bumble Grooming Cream: A quick dab smoothes out frizz, defines waves, and holds ponies in place.
Tata Harper Be Adored Hydrating and Anti-ageing Lip Treatment: A low-key and practical way to add a touch of pretty.
Natural Beauty
Ilia MultiStick in Sway: The hot climate makes this solid bronzer go on like a dream. Doubles as eye shadow in a pinch.
Lipstick Queen Endless Summer in Stoked: The perfect juicy tequila sunrise coral.
RMS un-cover up: The coconut oil base means I’m not applying makeup but skincare, right? Extra easy and natural when applied with a Beauty Blender.
Kevyn Aucoin blush in Myracle: Sun-kissed sheer when dabbed on with a dampened Beauty Blender. So pretty!
Behind the Scenes:
RMS coconut oil wipes: My new travel-case must. Remove makeup and dirt, is naturally anti-bacterial AND is hydrating enough that it doubled as my moisturizer.
Indie Lee blemish stick: the most effective zit treatment I’ve found. Majorly needed in the sweaty, sunscreened, pore-clogging tropics.
Eye Envy lash growing serum: I knew that I didn’t want to futz with mascara on a beach vacation, but I also know that my eyes disappear (hello, photos!) without. A month of Eye Envy plus a quick tinting at the esthetician’s provided a happy, and easy, compromise.
Eye lash curler: That little crimp to my mascara-less lashes made my eyes extra photo-ready.
My One Packing Regret:
Clarisonic cleansing tool: WHYYYY did I leave this at home?!?! As much as I am thrilled with the RMS coconut oil wipes, they were just not enough cleansing power for my skin. I needed daily deep pore cleaning to battle the sweat and sunscreen. The very first thing I did when I got home was wash my face with my beloved Clarisonic + Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser, and apply a thick layer of Caudalie Instant Detox Mask. Felt so good.
Shop all my vacation essentials HERE.